Us Election: Buhari Denies Donating $500m To Clinton Campaign

SAN FRANCISCO, November 18, (THEWILL) – The Presidency on Friday debunked claims making the round that President Muhammadu Buhari donated $500m to the campaign of Hillary Clinton in the just-concluded United States, US election.

A video purportedly circulated by a non-governmental group in the US, the American Black Group for Democracy, had last week alleged that Nigeria donated $500m (about N150bn) to the Democrat nominee's failed bid for the White House.

It claimed that the money was “pledged to the US Secretary of State, Sen John Kerry, and US Ambassador in Abuja”, adding that “the donation may create a huge misunderstanding between Nigeria and the incoming Trump's US government”.

But in a series of tweets on Friday, Buhari's Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, described the accusations as crazy, insisting that “Nigeria doesn't have this kind of money to throw around”.

He posted on his Twitter handle, @GarShehu; “What is the craziest accusation made against President Buhari?”

“That he donated $500m to Hillary's campaign and that Donald Trump is angry. This has gone viral, sadly Nigerians are believing it!

“President Buhari's Nigeria doesn't have this kind of money to throw around. Even if the money is there, this President is the least likely person to give it as donation, and for what?”

Shehu, who noted that Buhari is in discussion with the US government to repatriate loots stashed in American banks, added that “the U.S is paying to Nigeria, not the other way round”.

He explained, “A FGN account has already been given for the return of one million dollars from Alamieyesiegha.

“Judgement on the $480m Abacha loot has been won and our Attorney-General, Malami (SAN) will be in the US next week to speak to the Department of Justice on the next steps for the return of that as well.”